16
Kelley lives with a number of
health issues, but she refuses
to let them limit her.
Photo by Vicki Ravnjak.
Mathew and Kelley Solomons have had NINE POSTINGS IN
THE 15 YEARS Mathew has been in the Army—six of those were
interstate. It’s not unusual for a military family.
B
ut Kelley lives with
number of health
issues since being
injured at work in 2001,
including chronic neck and
back pain, heart problems,
sleep apnoea, and brain
cysts. She had a stroke last
year and has suffered a
seizure.
“Every posting is very hard
for a family with special
needs with doctors,
specialists, respite care, valet
unpacks, and several other
services needed on top of
what you’d normally have to
organise,” said Kelley.
“It does slow me down,
but I try to make sure it
doesn’t stop me from
spending time with my
friends and family, and
enjoying going to the beach,
or seeing movies and
concerts.”
The Solomons have
three teenage children—
Elisha, Laura and Joshua—
who help out where they
can. But there’s still a lot
that Kelley needs support
with, particularly when her
health has taken a turn for
the worse.
“Defence Special Needs
Support Group has been a
great help to us, not only
at posting time but when I
have been very ill.
“As you can imagine, it
is very stressful when you
are in hospital. Even just
somebody to talk to, who
understands your situation,
has been good as well.
“It’s been far more than
just a coffee club to us.
Without their knowledge
and assistance, we would
struggle with the process
every posting.”
Kelley’s family also get
support through funding
programs such as APS
Benefits, which has been
working with the Support
Group for more than 21
years. APS provide grants to
help with medical bills, and
the cost of diagnosis,
medical equipment, therapy
services or anything else
required to support
dependants with special
needs.
Despite the challenges,
Kelley firmly believes that
life is what you make it.
She said the family loves
exploring each posting and
make a list of everything they
want to see and do when
they get there.
“The Defence lifestyle
has given us a great
opportunity to explore this
wonderful country of ours.
We have done things like the
Great Ocean Road, the snow
fields, and of course every
zoo in every state just to
compare. Taronga is our
favourite!”
“We also have
friendships all over the
country and, thanks to
social media, we can stay
in contact with everyone
now too.” n
www.dsnsg.org.au
ALEX DEVALENTIN
SUPPORT TO MAKE
THE NEXT MOVE
YOURSTORIES